Dry Van

A dry van is a fully enclosed, non-temperature-controlled trailer used for transporting general freight that does not require refrigeration or special climate management. Dry vans are the most common trailer type in the North American trucking industry, accounting for approximately 60 to 70 percent of all over-the-road trailers in service. They are used for commodities such as packaged consumer goods, electronics, automotive parts, textiles, and non-perishable food items.

Standard dry van trailers measure 53 feet in length with approximately 3,000 cubic feet of cargo space and a maximum payload capacity of around 44,000 to 45,000 pounds. The trailer body is constructed from sheet metal or composite panels on a steel or aluminum frame, without the insulation or refrigeration equipment found on reefer trailers. This simpler construction makes dry vans less expensive to purchase and maintain than refrigerated equipment.

In the cold chain logistics context, dry vans play an important supporting role. Shelf-stable food products, packaging materials, and dry ingredients that feed into cold chain operations are typically transported in dry vans. Some shippers use dry vans with thermal blankets or passive temperature protection for products that need moderate protection from extreme heat or cold but do not require active refrigeration.

Dry van rates serve as a baseline for the freight market, with reefer rates typically running 15 to 30 percent higher due to the additional equipment, fuel, and operational costs of refrigerated transportation. Understanding the spread between dry van and reefer rates helps shippers and brokers assess whether the reefer premium is within normal ranges or indicates unusual market conditions.